7 DAY-6 NIGHT TOGO-BENIN MOSAIC

Breakfast at hotel and embark on a city tour of Lome where tradition and modernism overlap visiting fetish market, the traditional pharmacy in Togo’s capital; Independence Square and National museum. Head to Sokode, home to the Tem people in the Central Region of Togo. Lunch en route. Arrive in Sokode in the late afternoon. Check-in at Hotel Central or similar. In the evening, attend Tsuka fire eaters’ dance in a village. Overnight in Sokode. B/D

Day 3: Sokode-Koutammakou-Kara

Breakfast at hotel and drive to Koutammakou, the land of the Tamberma, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This strongly animistic tribe lives in adobe castles spread in the farmlands; the “takienta” and constitute an amazing example of man in total harmony with his environment. Road to Kara; visit Nawdm tribal villages. Arrive in Kara; lunch at a local restaurant. Check-in at Hotel Kara or similar. Overnight. B/D

Day 4: Kara-Djougou-Abomey

Breakfast at hotel and drive to Abomey, the historical capital city of Benin crossing at Kemerida border post passing local farming communities and sceneries. En route, stop at famous Dankoli voodoo shrine at Doyissa. They will hit a piece of stick in the ground, pour some palm oil, some locally made gin, sodabi and ask the deity for assistance. When this becomes conclusive, they will return as a thanksgiving with animals that will be sacrificed to the gods. The atmosphere here is usually of a festive one with men in communion with the gods! The kingdom of Dahomey was established in the early 17th century and flourished through the 18th and 19th centuries. The kingdom grew very powerful till the french colonial establishment in 1900. We will visit the historic museum, a World Heritage Site composed of the palaces of King Glele and King Gezo, their administrative blocks with bas reliefs, shrines, common grave of the forty-two wives of King Glele, his sepulchre, royal stools, weapons and grandchidren of former palace artisans perpetuating the craft of their ancestors making the famous Abomey brass and appliqués. Drive to Hotel Sun City Hotel or similar. Overnight. B/D

Day 5: Abomey-Porto Novo-Cotonou

After breakfast, drive to Porto-Novo, the administrative capital city of Benin. On arrival, stop at the obelisk of the Zangbeto, the traditional night guardians and visit Honme, the former palace of King Toffa, the 19th monarch of the Hogbonou kingdom. Proceed to the museum of ethnography with a fabulous collection of Gelede masks. Lunch at a local restaurant and continue to Cotonou. Visit Cotonou craft market and check-in at Benin Royal Hotel or similar. Overnight. B/D

Day 6: Cotonou-Ganvie-Ouidah-Grand Popo

Breakfast and continue to Abomey-Calavi, harbor for Ganvie stilt village. Home to over 33,000 Tofinu people, Ganvie is the biggest stilt village in Africa. It was settled in the 1700s by fugitive fleeing Fon slave raiders forbidden by their traditions to step in water; thus left the fugitives safe. In a motorboat, go the waterways of the Nokoue Lake passing numerous fish farms; locals carrying out their daily chores in pirogues, kids playing in the water. You will stop at some houses all standing on stilt, the floating market before returning to the harbour. Continue to Ouidah, irrefutably the voodoo capital of Benin.Voodoo is an Ancestral and Nature tradition, in which spiritual transformation is achieved via the direct communion with specialized Voodoo gods. Honour and supplication is also bestowed to those ancestors who have evolved, and those who are in the process of evolving, as well as those who have lived lives that were both distinguished, and infamous or notorious. It is believed that lessons can be learned equally from all paths. Voodoo is a religion of many traditions. Each group follows a different spiritual path and worships a slightly different pantheon of spirits. In Ouidah, you will visit the historic museum, a former Portuguese slave fort; drive past the basilica and the temple of pythons amazingly built on the same site [some grounds for the religious syncretism!]. Go through the lanes of “Brazil” and experience the Slave Route till the awesome Door of No Return on the Beach. Proceed to Grand Popo that you will reach in the late afternoon. B/D

Day 7: Grand Popo-Glidji-Lome

Breakfast included at Hotel and cross into Togo at Hilla Condji border post. Today witness the manifestation of voodoo deities attending a ceremony in a village involving chanting, dancing, drumming. Continue to Lome crossing at Hilla Condji border post passing Aneho, the first capital city og Togo. Lome, the capital city of Togo is where traditions and modernism meet. Day rooms at Hotel Novela Star or similar. In the evening transfer to airport for your return flight. B